Anyone Else Trying Savella For Fibromyalgia? (Page 5)
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This is a new medication that just came out for fibromyalgia. I have several other conditions involving spinal degeneration , herniated discs, arthritus, etc.
I've been taking this medication for a little over 2 weeks now and have worked up to the full dose. My biggest symptom seems to be upset stomach but I don't know if it's from the Savella or from de-toxing from 7 other medications that I've been on for over 10+ yrs.
Is there anyone else out there that has started this medication that can give me any information that they may have on it?

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I didn't notice that particular side effect, (the mood swings) but I wonder if taking Lexapro at the same time would counter balance that. I did take a small dose of Lexapro (only 5 mg.) at the same time for about a year. I felt really good! I got along so much better with my teenaged daughter :-) However, I decided to go off the Lexapro because for some reason I can never lose weight while I am taking an anti-depressant. They sort of make me too happy with the way things are, and I don't seem to have the discipline to stay away from the goodies. I lost 9 pounds last fall! Some have started to creep back up on me, but I am being diligent again, and hope to get those darn 4 pounds off again. When I was on Cymbalta, I gained 12 pounds over a years time. I am down 14 pounds from that now. Savella has actually curbed my appetite--which is one of the side effects (yippee!) So, maybe see if you can get on a small dose of Lexapro at the same time. It just went generic, so (Escitalopram) see if your doc will prescribe it--now that it is cheap! Another thought for all you great struggling Fibro friends--have any of you ever tried Nuvigil? I have an RX for it, and only take it about once every couple months, but when I do--I can forge ahead through the day without resting and I get so much done! It is expensive and insurance will not pay for it, but even at $200 for 30 pills--I just cut them in half (the 150 mg dose) and I can make that RX last me a year. Just another thought for ya'll.

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I just started taking Savella this week. The main problem I find with Savella and this is the 2nd time I am trying this is my mood change. I am quick to anger. No patience. I am no longer taking Effexor for depression while on the Savella. I tried Savella before but did not give it a chance to work, I stopped taking it and went back on effexor because of the mood swings. Has anyone experienced anything like this and has been on Savella long enough to where these symptoms have subsided?

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I've been on savella with lexapro and naproxen, along with valium (as needed) and flexeril(as needed). I only feel a little queasy in the am if I take the savella and don't eat right away. I am doing so much better with Savella than Lyrica. I have DDD, and fibro..the lex. helps with not just depression but also the fibro..and elevates my mood and some days are so bad, I really sometimes feel like giving up, but then I get spells of feeling like I have nothing - especially when I am in warm dry weather. Just returned from 2 glorious pain free weeks in Florida, so don't give up, it takes awhile to find what works best for you. I must have tried 7 antipressants before I found lexapro only to discover it also helped my fibro..and lyrica and cymbalta before I got savella.. I rejected any opiods for pain, for many reasons of my own on side effects. However, if you can't function at all, you many need to do that and one day that day might come for me

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Thank you so much for your comments back,,it really helps. I work full time and take body flex, cardio and weight interval and physical training classes every week. I really hope to see results. I hope you keep getting better. Stay in touch and have a blessed week-end.

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Phyllis, it took a few months. I do a Zumba class almost every day. I'm sad to report that I have less muscle pain when I go a few weeks without working out! But, I have to work out so I can sleep and it elevates my mood. So I take some Naproxin for that pain and keep going to Zumba. Exercise helps my arthritis pain for knees and hips. As you will find, Fibromyalgia is different for everyone. Hopefully you will find your combination of relief!

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I have been on it a month now and still have knee,leg and elbow pain. I hope this works, because it has changed my outlook. I feel melancholy at times. Thank you also for all your kindness. It's just so nice to have someone who understands what I go through daily. Let me know how the new med works and let me know the name. Stay in touch and have a blessed week-end.

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How long before you got relief from pain? I can put up with the sweating if I can get relief. I work full time and have exercise classes 3-4 times a week.

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I still have sweating--every day and every night. But the pain relief and the increase of energy has been so dramatic that I would rather suffer from the annoying sweating. I keep fans everywhere, I dress in layers and just peal them off when the hot flash comes. I love winter when it is cold and hate the summer. Drinking lots of water helps, and exercising if you can helps too. For me, Savella has been a God-send.

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I got relief in three weeks time, one day Itrealized that I could move both of my arms pain free. It was truly a miracle, I had lived with it for fifteen years but the sweating was awful and got worse over time. I was always soaking wet, to the point of embarassment. It was just a fluke that I tried the Supple and it did away with the elbow pain too so I will never take Savella again. It looks to be a very common side effect, but I work as a caterer and the sweating was out of control and it also made my face flush. I went on line last night while I was feeling sorry for myself and looked up natural anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. I foung a variety of natural ingredients and then went to a website I trust for this kind of thing and found they had what I was looking dffor in one capsule. Take two once a day, they should be here this week and I bought two monthes supply so I'm hoping I will see relief for my neck and shoulders. I will post whether I notice a difference or not. thanks for your kind words...

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Veronica,,,did you ever in that two years get pain relief from the savella? I am concerned that it isn't working for me.I get the cold sweats, but it only lasts for a few minutes and if I can get relief from the pain,,,I think I could live with it. The sweating is not as bad for me as it was for you.

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I wish I had an answer for you and I am so sorry you are in such pain. I really thought that savella would be our answer,,,,but right now I can not say that is true. I am still having elbow and leg pain. Some nausea and severe cold sweats. I have GERD, so the nausea could be form that too,,,not sure. I will stay on it for a couple more months and see. I will pray for us all to have relief from th pain.

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I've gone down the savella road and did not stay with it.I had sooo many side affects+all the ones you hear about on this forum & I still was so tired-not comfortable to sleep well.The sweats,nite sweats were the worst and they wouldn't stop and took probably about 5 months after I was totally off of them for the swets to go away,totally.I'm sure this won't happen to you,I think it was just me cause it doesn't seem as it anyone else has mentioned the continueing of the sweating...Thanks again and MayGODBless

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I would not want to discourage you from trying Savella, you may not experience the side effects in the same way that I did or others that have posted on this site. As I said the only thing it truly helped was the horrible pain I had in my elbows but I was fortunate to find that the Supple drink did the same thing for that pain. Took me two years to discover that though. I am having a pity party for myself right now though, the pain in my neck and shoulders has been awful the last two days and there is nothing I can do about it. The only meds that work I am allergic too or more accurately my body is toxic with, steroids and NSAIDS. My doctor and I attempted to put me back on them and I am developing blood blisters again and started bleeding vaginally again after three years of not having a period. I stopped taking them once that issue resurfaced but I am still very thin skinned and bleed at the slightest pressure on my skin, hopefully they will get out of my system quickly. I am fifty one, have osteo arthritis, Shogrens disease, fibromyalgia and some yet diagnosed problem where my bones will grow spurs and begin to destroy the muscle and tendons surrounding them. I had a massage on Saturday but I am hurting so bad now that I have had to take Percocet the last two nights to ease the pain so I can at least sleep a couple of hours. This is on top of two Percocet and my Ambien CR, I hate taking them but I have run out of options. It still only gave me about four hours sleep last night. As you all know when you don't sleep good it makes the pain that much worse the next day. I am forcing myself to lead my life as actively as I always have because the alternative is to lay in my bed and never get up again. Unexceptable! I know that this site is for Savella but any suggestions would be helpful for my neck and shoulder pain. Will try anything once:>) sorry for the moaning but know this forum of people will understand the frustration I'm feeling....

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Check out a supplement called Protandim. I was very skeptical, because everyone has their pet "supplement" that works a miracle for them. I usually don't believe any of it. But, a friend of mine with Chronic Fatigue told me about it, and I tried it. After two months on it, my husband, who is a physician, asked me to get him some too! Wouldn't hurt to try it, except for the cost. If you buy on line, about $60 a month, but if you buy through a person who sells it you can still get it online for about $40 a month. I just have it automatically shipped to our house every month!

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Thanks to all that have posted on this forum. I've received so much very valuable information and advice from reading all the postings. I will pray for each and every one of us in daily pain!! Enjoy your day

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Veronica... My post was in reference to your post. I am sorry I did not make that clear. Thank you.

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Wow...what a great post. My Dr just prescribed Savella for me and have not started it. I tried Cymbalta for 2 days and threw up for 8 hours out of those days. I have rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. The NSAIDs wrecked my liver so I try not to take anything. I take glu/chondroitin, Vit D, B-12 and calcium daily and it has really helped. My elbow pain from tendinitis is gone. Still have some hip and shoulder pain but I think after reading all these posts about Savella and Cymbalta, I really do not think I want to put my body through that. That you so much for your post of encouragement. I read so many posts on different sites where people said they had to also take meds for the nausea and meds to help them sleep. I don't want to take more meds, I am down to two RX and that's two too many. Thank you for your post of encouragement. I want to feel good, not nauseated, sweating and so anxious I can't sleep! Your post really helped me decide what to do. I hope you read this. Thank you so much!!

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I never got nauseous on the Savella but the sweating only got worse. After two years of trying to hide the redness (flushing) it caused to my face and the profuse sweating, I had to discontinue. I don't think that part ever goes away and in fact may get worse. The absolute worst side effect for me...

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I will keep taking it then to see if it will start helping. I have noticed that I am still exhausted when I wake up in the mornings to get ready for work. Tht is new,,,it never was like that before. I thought Savella helped with the fatigue. The hot flashes are horrible,,,and the nausea can get bad at times,,,,but I am hoping to see some good things soon. What is Protandim? Stay in touch.

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Regan--That was the 1st side effect i dealt with too.The nausea was so intense that I ended up taking, YUP another RX called ondansetron for nausea.I take a small dose,2 mg,after about 1/2 hr I did feel btr.But a short time later I totally stopped taking my savella.I got intense,very intense and very uncommon side effects & all the side effects I was dealing with greatly out-weighed the positive affects of the savella.Another very uncomfortable side effect is the hot spells,night hot flashes,sweating(constant). Those affects along with my pre menopausal affects were just too much for me too. BUT,I really think,with all that I have read thru out this forum,that you should give it a trial run for a minimum of 60 days.60 days seems to be the norm for all the postings that I have read. I wish you the best of luck with this new RX. If it's okay with you, I will keep you in my daily prayers?? Have a great night.

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